One piece unit dose liquid dispensing closure and packaging system

ABSTRACT

A single-piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product includes a main body portion, a downwardly depending apron that is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container and a unit dose reservoir that has a filling window defined therein. A pouring spout is provided that is unitary with the unit dose reservoir. A lid member is provided that is connected to the main body portion by a flexible hinge and that is adapted to step on to and seal against the pouring spout. Venting structure may also be provided for venting the unit dose reservoir.

Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) is claimed based on U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/121,958, filed on Dec. 12, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of packaging, and more specifically to closure and bottle packaging systems that are used to dispense a liquid product, such as but not limited to liquid laundry detergent or fabric softener, by a consumer.

2. Description of the Related Technology

In the case of certain liquid products such as liquid laundry detergent or fabric softener, it is desirable for a consumer to be able to dispense a premeasured amount of product. A number of containers and closures have been proposed for this purpose. Typically, they include a reservoir of known volume that is positioned near an upper end of the container and that is designed to be filled by inverting the container. The consumer will then dispense a metered amount of product from the reservoir using a normal pouring action.

Unfortunately, existing metering closure designs tend to be fairly complicated, relying on multiple components that are relatively expensive to produce and that are susceptible to leakage. In other words, they tend to be inaccurate, complicated and expensive to produce and messy.

A need exists for an improved metering closure design that is relatively inexpensive to produce and that exhibits superior performance characteristics with respect to existing designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved metering closure design that is relatively inexpensive to produce and that exhibits superior performance characteristics with respect to existing designs.

In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product according to one aspect of the invention includes a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, said pouring spout being unitary with said unit dose reservoir; a lid member, said lid member being adapted to snap on to and seal against said pouring spout; and a flexible hinge, said flexible hinge being unitary with both said main body portion and said lid member.

A container assembly for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product according to a second aspect of the invention includes a container; and a closure having a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with the main body portion and that is secured to the container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with the main body portion, the unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; venting structure for venting the unit dose reservoir; a pouring spout; and a lid member.

A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product according to a third aspect of the invention includes a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with the main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with the main body portion, the unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, the pouring spout being attached to the unit dose reservoir; and venting structure for venting the unit dose reservoir.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a metering closure that is constructed according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a metering closure that is constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical cross-sectional view depicting a metering closure that is constructed according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, a single piece metering closure 10 that is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is preferably fabricated from a single unitary piece of plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or a plastic material having comparable properties.

Closure 10 is adapted to be secured onto a container 14 that has a main body portion 16 to form a container assembly that is adapted for storing a liquid product such as fabric softener or liquid laundry detergent. Alternatively, container 14 could be used to store any type of liquid product, including medicines, liquid drinks and foodstuffs.

Container 14 has a neck portion 18 that defines an upper rim 20 having an upper surface. Neck portion 18 preferably includes securing structure for permitting the closure 10 to be secured thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing structure is embodied as a single circumferential bead 22 that extends radially outwardly, for purposes that will be described in greater detail below. Alternatively, a conventional helical thread or threads could be provided in lieu of the circumferential bead 22 so that the closure 10 could be fastened to the container 18 by screwing it on.

Closure 10 preferably includes a main body portion 12 and a downwardly depending apron 24 that is constructed and arranged to be secured to the neck portion 18 of the container 14. The downwardly depending apron 24 is unitary with the main body portion 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the downwardly depending apron 24 includes an annular bead portion 26 that extends radially inwardly. When the closure 10 is secured onto the container 14 the annular bead portion 26 will be positioned as shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the circumferential bead 22 that is provided on the neck portion 18 of the container 14. In other words, the closure 10 is designed to snap permanently on to the container 14 by sliding the annular bead portion 26 pass the corresponding circumferential bead 22 one the neck portion 18 of the container 14. Alternatively, in the case where the neck portion 18 of the container 14 is provided with threading, the inner surface of the downwardly depending apron 24 of the closure 10 could be provided with mating threading to enable the closure 10 to be screwed onto the container 14.

Closure 10 further preferably includes a flexible annular claw seal 28 that is unitary with the main body portion 12 and that is constructed and arranged to engage and seal against the upper surface of the container rim 20. In this way, leakage from the container 14 is prevented when the closure 10 is secured onto the container 14.

Closure 10 also preferably includes a unit dose reservoir 30 that is unitary with the main body portion 12 and that defines a predetermined volume so that a metered amount of liquid product may be dispensed by the closure 10. Unit dose reservoir 30 includes a cup-like member that depends downwardly from the main body portion 12 and that will extend into the container 14 when the closure 10 is secured to the container 14. At least one fill window 32 is defined in the unit dose reservoir 30 in a location that is above the surfaces of the unit dose reservoir 30 that define the predetermined volume.

A pouring spout 34 is preferably constructed so as to be unitary with the main body portion 12 of the closure 10 and preferably includes a non-drip pouring flange 36 that is shaped so as to extend upwardly and radially outwardly with respect to the main body of the pouring spout 34.

A lid member 38 is constructed and arranged to be able to securely snap on to and seal against the upper surfaces of the pour spout 34. Lid member 38 is connected to the main body portion 12 of the closure 10 by a flexible hinge portion 40 that is unitary with both the main body portion 12 and the lid member 38.

Alternatively, structure could be provided on the main body portion 12 of the closure 10 against which the lid member 38 would be adapted to snap onto and seal against. In this case, a plug member could be provided on the underside of the lid member 38 for sealing against the upper rim of the pouring spout 34.

The entire closure 10 is preferably fabricated as a single, unitary piece. This may be accomplished by using an injection molding process, by compression molding or by any one of a number of alternative known fabrication techniques.

The closure 10 will preferably be secured to the container 14 at the factory after the container 14 is filled. The packaged product will then be distributed to the consumer. The consumer will invert the container assembly so that liquid product will enter the unit dose reservoir 30 through the fill window 32. Alternatively, the container assembly may be stored in an upside-down position so that the liquid product will fill the unit dose reservoir 30 before the consumer picks it up for use.

The container assembly will then be returned to its upright position, and excess liquid product will flow out of the fill window 32, leaving a metered predetermined volume of liquid product within the unit dose reservoir 30. The consumer will then snap the lid member 38 off of the pouring spout 34 and dispense the predetermined volume of liquid product using a normal pouring action.

FIG. 2 depicts a closure 50 that is constructed according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, which is otherwise identical to the closure 10 in the first embodiment described above, a hollow dip tube 50 is attached to an underside of the cup-like member of the unit dose reservoir 30. Dip tube 50 has a first, proximal open end that is in communication with a lower portion of the interior of the unit dose reservoir 30 and a second, distal open end that is positioned in a lower portion of the container 14.

FIG. 3 depicts a closure 60 that is constructed according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, which is otherwise identical to the closure 10 in the first embodiment described above, a venting orifice 62 is defined in a lower surface of the cup-like member of the unit dose reservoir 30. Venting orifice 62 provides limited communication between a lower portion of the interior of the unit dose reservoir 30 and the interior space of the container 14.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising: a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, said pouring spout being unitary with said unit dose reservoir; a lid member, said lid member being adapted to snap on to and seal against said pouring spout; and a flexible hinge, said flexible hinge being unitary with both said main body portion and said lid member.
 2. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said main body portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to engage and seal against an upper rim of a container.
 3. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential inwardly extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a container.
 4. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein said pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends radially upwardly and outwardly.
 5. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein said pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize dripping.
 6. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, wherein said closure is fabricated from a plastic material.
 7. A single piece metering closure according to claim 1, further comprising venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir.
 8. A single piece metering closure according to claim 7, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted.
 9. A single piece metering closure according to claim 7, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir.
 10. A container assembly comprising the closure of claim 1 and a container.
 11. A container assembly for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising: a container; and a closure having a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and that is secured to the container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir; a pouring spout; and a lid member.
 12. A container assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a flexible claw seal member that is unitary with said main body portion, said flexible claw seal number being adapted to engage and seal against an upper rim of a container.
 13. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said downwardly depending apron comprises a circumferential inwardly extending snap bead for securing said closure onto a container.
 14. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said pouring spout comprises an upper flange portion that extends radially upwardly and outwardly.
 15. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said pouring spout is constructed and arranged to minimize dripping.
 16. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said closure is fabricated from a plastic material.
 17. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted.
 18. A container assembly according to claim 11, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir.
 19. A single piece metering closure for dispensing a metered amount of liquid product, comprising: a main body portion; a downwardly depending apron that is unitary with said main body portion and is constructed and arranged to be secured to a container; a unit dose reservoir that is unitary with said main body portion, said unit dose reservoir having a filling window defined therein; a pouring spout, said pouring spout being attached to said unit dose reservoir; and venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir.
 20. A single piece metering closure according to claim 19, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a dip tube communicating an inner volume of said unit dose reservoir with an inner space of a container to which said closure is mounted.
 21. A single piece metering closure according to claim 19, wherein said venting means for venting said unit dose reservoir comprises a venting orifice defined in a lower surface of the unit dose reservoir. 